The Manaless Extra (A Progression Fantasy Story)

Volume 04, Chapter 132
Welcome Back, Clark and New Artifact Acquired

Dominic's eyes open to a blur of white and soft colors, the world slowly coming into focus. The spotless ceiling above him glows faintly with mana lines. He stays still for a moment, letting his senses adjust to the weight of his body.

'Where am I?' he wonders, the question circling in his head, dazed and uncertain.

A long, red holographic screen floats before his eyes—its text scrolling in an endless river of information:

Dominic stares at the wall of text, overwhelmed. 'What the hell…?'

He tries to make sense of the avalanche of information, but it slips through his thoughts, drowned out by a familiar ache, guilt, and the memory of a gentle voice among pink flower fields. Fleurine…

"Welcome back." A soft, familiar voice draws him back.

Dominic turns slowly and sees Arthur. Taller, more mature, with eyes that shine with both relief and exhaustion.

"Arthur…" Dominic whispers.

Before he can say more, another figure swoops into view, blocking out everything but a mop of familiar light blue hair and a wide, mischievous grin.

"Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty!" Célestin declares, leaning right over Dominic.

"Célestin…" Dominic breathes, half laughing in disbelief.

He glances around, finally noticing the room, a hospital suite, soft morning light spilling across white sheets. Machines thrum quietly nearby, glowing with gentle Aether-blue. Standing behind the boys is Lumi, silent as always, arms crossed, but her eyes softer than usual.

"…Where am I?" Dominic manages, his voice hoarse.

Célestin hops off the bed, making space as Dominic, with effort, sits up.

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"You've been unconscious for four months," Arthur says, a note of awe in his voice.

"Four… months…" Dominic echoes, the words tasting foreign in his mouth.

Four months are gone in a heartbeat. What has become of the people, the town, after… after what he did?

Then the memory returns, sharp and searing. "Wait, the town!" His eyes widen.

He clenches his fists, guilt rising like bile. The weight of it crushes his chest. "Arthur, Célestin, I… I destroyed everything. I was just trying to stop Guzman, but—everyone—the town—"

Lumi moves closer and says gently, "It's all right, Dominic. You didn't kill anyone with that explosion. Maurice got everyone out of the academy, and most of the town had already been evacuated. Afterward, everyone worked together to rebuild. The Eñefortes, the Lyons, the Everhearts, and the Moreau Aether Mining Corporation all joined forces to restore the territory. Honestly, it's better than ever now."

Dominic's eyes widen in disbelief.

"A… collaboration?" he whispers as tears sting his eyes. "I… I can't believe it. I thought I'd destroyed everything. I…"

He trails off, struggling to express how much he regrets what happened. Yet, beneath the pain, a small spark of hope grows inside him. They rebuilt. They survived. He hadn't failed after all.

But one wound still aches.

"What about… Mum?" he asks quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper.

The question stills the room. Arthur and Célestin look away, their silence heavy as stone. Even Lumi's gaze drops.

Dominic understands in an instant. "I see…"

He nods, forcing himself to accept the logic he had refused to face before. He had seen the poisonous smoke fill the town. He knew no one could have survived that. And yet, deep inside, some irrational part of him clung to the hope that Celine had somehow been spared, that miracles could happen. That maybe, just maybe, the world wasn't as cruel as he remembered.

But hope is sometimes just another name for denial.

Arthur finally breaks the silence. "Auntie Celine is… resting at the Eñeforte cemetery," he says softly. "Uncle André and Clark visit her all the time."

A strange, bittersweet smile tugs at Dominic's lips. He imagines Celine's grave—peaceful and surrounded by flowers. He pictures André and Clark standing side by side, offering her news of the new town, of Dominic's slow return to the living. Somehow, the thought gives him comfort.

"Oh, by the way, do you want to know how you woke up after four months?" Célestin cuts in, eager to lighten the mood.

Dominic blinks, surprised by the shift. "…How?"

Célestin turns to Arthur, eyebrows raised. "Arthur had a scabbard with powerful healing magic. You absorbed it. That's what saved you."

"A… scabbard?" Dominic echoes, the word feeling unfamiliar on his lips. As he tries to make sense of things, he remembers what the System had shown him right after he woke up: Avaloria.

"Is it… Avaloria?" he mutters softly, barely above a whisper.

Arthur and Lumi don't seem to hear him, but Célestin does. Célestin's eyes widen in surprise. For a moment, he looks as if he wants to ask how Dominic could know that name. Had Dominic heard about it while unconscious? But that's impossible. When he sees how drained Dominic looks, he lets the questions go. Now is not the time.

Instead, Célestin gives him a small, gentle smile. "Yeah. Avaloria," he says quietly. "And now, you're back."

Dominic stares down at his hands, opening and closing his fingers, feeling the mana moving beneath his skin.

He thinks about all he has lost, four months gone in a single moment. The Eñeforte territory, destroyed and rebuilt. His friends changed over time. Life moved forward while he slept, but now, he is back.

He lets out a shaky breath and feels some of the tension leave his body.

The door opens, and everyone looks up as Clark and André enter.

For a moment, no one says a word. Clark and André just stare, shocked to see Dominic awake after so long. Clark's mouth hangs open, and André looks frozen in surprise.

"Dad… Clark…" Dominic's voice is weak but filled with emotion. He almost can't believe it himself.

The room fills with relief. Four long months had passed since Dominic fell into his coma, months of worry and fear. Now, with just a few words, it feels like everything might finally be all right.

"Big brother!" Clark cries out, his voice breaking with emotion. He runs forward and jumps into Dominic's arms.

"Wait—OOF!" Dominic grunts as Clark crashes into him, but he doesn't mind. Clark hugs him tightly, burying his face in Dominic's shoulder and refusing to let go.

"Big brother… You're finally awake." Clark's voice trembles.

Dominic looks down at Clark and smiles, blinking back tears. He gently ruffles Clark's hair.

'He never gave up on me,' Dominic thinks, his heart aching with gratitude.

André stands still for a moment, then slowly comes over and hugs both Dominic and Clark together.

"Welcome back, Dominic," André says quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

Dominic hugs them back, holding on as if he never wants to let go.

Célestin, Arthur, and Lumi watch from across the room. Their faces soften, and the tension in their shoulders fades.